Thurston graduated from Duluth High School in June 1888, and became a teacher.

[1] Thurston began her acting career in local plays and stage readings between the 1880s and 1895.

On June 25, 1895, she left Duluth to pursue acting in New York City.

In 1897, she took a job at a stock company in Pittsburgh alongside filmmaker Harrish Ingraham.

[4][5] In 1922, she spoke out, urging women to vote for major political parties.